If you need a portable studio setup or you plan to build your own recording studio on a tight budget of $500 while still keeping audio standards up, you should probably take Rode NT1-A Recording Package into consideration as one of your best options. This package features everything you need for making music independently: one of the best microphones for a home studio, the Rode NT1-A cardioid condenser microphone, the Presonus Audiobox USB, Sennheiser HD 202-II Studio Headphones and an adjustable mic stand.

Coremic community is getting larger and I get a lot of questions about which is the best equipment to build a cheap home studio or to build a portable studio. There are many answers to that question, mainly depending on your budget. I can only recommend some of the items I love (or I know about), but there are hundreds of variations (mics, audio interfaces, preamps, headphones, monitors, software). Every time I create these recording setups, I start from the premise that you already have a mid-range laptop or desktop. I managed to record a complete song using an Acer AOA 150 netbook once, so you’ll be just fine with any computer that has at least 1GB of ram and 1,6 Ghz processor.

Rode NT1-A Cardioid Condenser Microphone Recording Package Review
If your budget is around $400 then you are lucky because you can afford one of the best mics out there, the Rode NT1-A. You can read a complete review on this mic here, but in few words, I will have to describe it as one of the quietest mics under $500. No, let me write that again. For a complete package of $389, getting this mic is a bargain. NT1-a is a versatile professional condenser mic that captures warm and clear vocals. It also works great on guitars, violins, trumpets, drums.

Presonus Audiobox USB

This USB audio interface has a solid design made of aluminum that doesn’t feel cheap (like other interfaces on the market). Presonus Audiobox features 2 microphone/instrument inputs with PreSonus XMAX™ preamps and 48V phantom power, trim controls for inputs, volume and preamp gain, 2 balanced TRS outputs, MIDI in/out and headphone out. This fine-tuned audio interface allows you to record vocals and instruments at 24-bit, 96 kHz. As a bonus, you will get the the Studio One Artist Production Software so there is no need to invest additional money in recording and mixing software.

Sennheiser HD 202-II Studio Headphones

In order to record your vocals while still listening to instrumentals, you need a pair of closed headphones. Sennheiser HD 202 II is specially made for professional, featuring detachable ear cups for, 10 foot Y style cable, and clean, deep bass response. Jack plug 3.5/6.3 mm stereo.

Mic stand and pop filter

If you follow this blog for a while, you know that I like to advise my readers to get the mic stand and the pop filter along with the microphone. This package has both these items included and you’ll get a shock mount as a bonus.

Price

This Rode NT1-A recording package can be bought from Amazon for $369.

Conclusion
With $389, you can buy a complete recording studio, no hassle. The extended conclusion is that this recording package contains all the items needed for you to assemble a home studio or a portable studio: the microphone, the audio interface, the headphones, the mic stand. Even more, these items are of great value, so even if it may look cheap, it’s not. You don’t even need to buy additional monitors, since the Sennheiser HD 202-II are specially created for professionals, you can manage to mix and master your songs with them. All you need now is a backpack and a laptop and you have complete portable studio.

Additional info: boom length: 30″ , base spread: 23″ , leg housing made of steel reinforced plastic.

What’s your opinion on this package?